When a forest is cut down, it is not just the trees that are lost. A forest is an ecosystem that depends on the interaction of many species. As we have discussed, many plants depend on close relationships with mycorrhizal fungal partners. When trees are removed from a site, the populations of mycorrhizal fungi there decline rapidly. If we wish to restore the forest on the site, we cannot simply replant it with trees and other plants and expect them to survive. The mycorrhizal fungal community must be reestablished as well. For large forest restoration projects, a planned succession of plant growth and soil improvement is often necessary before forest trees can be replanted. As the community of soil fungi gradually recovers, trees that have been inoculated with appropriate mycorrhizal fungi in tree nurseries can be planted to reintroduce greater diversity to the soil fungal community.